Bathtub



W. RING Sept. 3, 1957 BATHTUB m we mm m0 M A U H W ""f ATTORNEYS Sept.3, 1957 w. RING BATHTUB Filed July 12, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYSINVENTOR. WILLIAM RI NG Sept. 3, 1957 w, R|NG 2,804,629

BATHTUB Filed July 12, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet s IIIII/ I III l I I f 3INVENTOR. 3 8 WILLIAM RING ATTORNEYS 18%,629 Patented S n 3, 1957 forcedto remain in the tub during usual relatively slow draining of the waterfrom the tub.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics 2,804,629 andadvantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, otherswill become apparent from the fol- BATHTUB lowing disclosures, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which- Wllham Ring CmcaggFigure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a Application July12, 1954, erial No. 442,588 bathtub structure embodying principles ofthe instant in vention, showing the same with the side door of the tub 8Claims. ((14-173) in open Position;

Figure 2 is a view similar in character to Fig. 1, but showing the sidedoor in closed position;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the means for This inventionrelates to improvements in a bathtub, holding the door water tight, withthe upper portion and more particularly to a bathtub so constructed asto eliminate the danger of injury in entering or leaving the tub, theinvention being highly desirable for use in hospitals, sanitariums,institutions, as well as in hotels, clubs, and many and variouslocations, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In the past, many and various types of bathtubs have been constructed,but insofar as I am aware not any of these bathtubs were intended toprovide the appearance of the customary bathtub utilized in homes andother 10- cations and intended to be used in the same manner as thecommonly known bathtub, and yet enable a physically incapacitated personto enter and leave the tub, or be assisted into and out of the tubwithout danger of injury. When a person sufiering from temporary orpermanent physical disability endeavors to step over the side of abathtub, lower himself into it, ultimately arise from a sitting positionin the tub, and again step over the side to leave the tub, there isgrave danger of severe injury from slipping or some other form ofaccident. The same is true when an invalid must be lifted into and outof the bathtub by a nurse or other attendant.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instantinvention to provide a bathtub which may be entered through the side.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a bathtub structure,wherein the bottom of the tub is substantially at chair seat height fromthe floor, arrangements being made to enter the tub through the sidethereof, whereby the bather need merely sit on the bottom of the tub andswing himself into position in the tub.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a bathtub havingan entry way through the side of the tub which may readily be opened,and sealed water tight when closed.

Also a feature of the invention resides in the provision of a bathtubstructure in which the bottom of the tub is elevated materially from thefloor, and the tub is provided with a drop door in the side wall which,when in open position, permits the bather to merely seat himself on thebottom of the tub and swing into position in the tub.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a bathtubmounted on a tank to be elevated above floor level, the bathtubpermitting entry and exit through the side wall thereof, and the tankreceiving drainage from the bathtub so that the bather need neitherenter nor leave the tub with water therein.

Still a further feature of the invention resides in the provision of anelevated bathtub having an opening in the side thereof, which opening ismoved to both open and closed position automatically by means controlledfrom inside the tub.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an elevated bathtubwith automatic means for opening and closin a side door in the tub, andwhich tub is equipped with extra quick drain means, so that the batheris not of the door shown in plan section;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view through thebathtub door and adjacent parts, taken substantially as indicated by theline iV-IV of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the bathtub structure, showing theadjacent wall in section, and taken substantially as indicated by theline VV of Fig. 1;

Figure 6 is also a plan sectional view, taken on a lower plane justbeneath the bathtub itself, as indicated by the line Vl-Vl of Fig. 1;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the understructure, and taken substantially as indicated by the line VIIVlI ofFig. 6;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view through the tub alone takensubstantially as indicated by the staggered section line VIIIVIII ofFig. 5;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the entirestructure, taken substantially as indicated by line IXIX of Fig. 6, andillustrating the operation of certain parts in dotted lines; and

Figure 10 is an elevational detail view of the door elevating means.

As shown on the drawings:

In the illustrated embodiment of the instant invention, there is shown atank-like base 1 which may'well be seated upon a floor 2. This base tankis provided with a clean out door 3 in the side Wall thereof. As seenbest in Fig. 9 the upper edge of the base tank may be inwardly flangedas indicated at 4 to provide a seat thereon for a bathtub 5.

The bathtub 5 may be of any desirable construction, such as enameledcast iron, stainless steel, or any other satisfactory material. Thebathtub is made with an opening 6 in the front side wall thereof. Asseen best in Figs. 1 and 3, in the exterior marginal portion adjacentthe opening 6, there is an outstanding bead 7 following the contour ofthe opening, but spaced slightly therefrom. This bead is to effect awater tight seal with a drop door 8 movable in a vertical direction outof the tank 1 over the opening 6 and vice versa. As seen best in Figs. 4and 5, the door 8 is lined marginally on the inner side thereof with astrip 9 of sealing material such as rubber or the equivalent. On theexternal side of the door at each end thereof there is a bearing strip1010.

When the door is moved to elevated position over the side opening 6 inthe tub, the door is forced sidewise into tight engagement with themargin of the tub around the opening, so that the sealing strip 9 iscompressed over the head '7 as seen in Fig. 3, thus making a water tightclosure. Means for locking the door in water tight position are disposedon each side of the door, and supported by a pair of outstanding flanges1111 on the bathtub 5. Each of the locking means includes a shaft 12extending through the respective flange 11, and on the outside end ofthe shaft is a hand lever 13. On the inner end of the shaft is aneccentrically mounted cam 14 so disposed as to exert inward pressureupon the door when the handle is raised to the position seen in Figs. 2and 4, and release the pressure on the door, when the handle is moved todownward position as seen in Fig. 1.

Automatic means are provided for elevating the door 8 over the opening 6in the side wall of the bathtub. These means are best seen in Figs. 5,6, 7, 9 and 10. When the tub structure is mounted adjacent a wall '15,it may be desirable to install at least a part of the-elevatingmechanism behind that wall for purposes of appearance, as illustrated inFigs. and 9. In the illustrated instance hydraulic pressure means aredisclosed for elevating the door 8.

These hydraulic pressure means include a cylinder 16 in which a piston17 operates, the piston being carried on the lower end of a piston rod18. As seen in Fig. 9, this piston rod is provided with a notch 19 inthe side thereof. At the upper end thereof the piston rod carries across arm 20 centrally mounted on the piston rod. 'An adjustableconnector 21 depends from each end of the cross arm 20 and to eachconnector the end of a cable 22 is attached. Each cable extendsdownwardly under a pulley 23 carried on a shaft 24 journaled in suitablebrackets mounted to the wall 15. The cables then pass through suitableopenings in both the wall and the tank base 1, upwardly inside the tankand over a pulley 25 on a shaft 26 journaled in suitable bearings 2727on a carrier plate 28. Upon passing over its pulley 25, each cable dropsdown and is connected to a lower portion of the door 8 as indicated at29. It is preferable to use a pair of cables 2222, as above described,in order to maintain balanced action of the door.

The carrier plate 28 by means of a suitablesaddle bracket 30 dependingtherefrom supports a relatively large roller 31 which bears lightlyagainst the inside of the door 8 so as to maintain the door in alignmentbetween a pair of inwardly extending flanges 3232 on the tank base 1which in effect form a track for the slidable movement of the door.

Hydraulic fluid, which may well be water, is admitted,

under pressure to the bottom of the cylinder 16 by way of a pipeline 33,and a 'control valve 34 is mounted in this pipeline. As seen clearly inFig. 5, a handle 35 is mounted on the valve 3'4, and this handleprojects through a-suitable slot or opening in the wall 15 so as to beaccessible from inside the bathtub. It is a simple expedient, therefore,for the occupant of the bathtub to mov e the handle 35 to valve openingposition as seen in Fig. 1; and then when the door has elevated, returnthe valve handle to closed position as seen ,inFigs. 2 and 5. Theadmission of the liquid under pressure to the cy1inder,16 raises thepiston 17 together with the piston rod .18 to the dotted line positionseen in Fig. 9, thus pulling on the cables 2222 and elevating the door8. Now, 'still with reference to Fig. 9, it will be seen that when thepiston rod 18 reaches elevated position it is automatically locked inthat position by means of a,forked retaining member 36 urged toward thepiston'rod by a spring 37. This forked retainingmernber engages in theaforesaid notch 19 in the piston rod and prevents .the descent of thepiston. A release handle .38 on the bifurcated retainer 36extendsthrough. the wall '15 as seen clearly in Figs. ,5 and 9, so as tobe accessible from inside the bathtub. Pulling on the handle 38disengages the retainer 36 from the notch 19,; and allows the piston tofall. When .the piston has been elevated by liquid pressure, and lockedin its elevated position, the liquid leaks out of the cylinder through adrain pipe 39 which extends through the wall '15 anddischarges into thetank base 1, as seen best in Fig. '9 This drain p ipe is so small indiameter thatwhat liquid escapes through .it during the raising of p thepiston does .not interfere with the 'raising operation, butthe'drainingof the liquid out of the cylinder after the piston has beenraised, permits a free dropping of thepiston when it is desired to dropthe door 8.

Now with reference more particularly to Figs. 5 and 8, it will be seenthat the bathtub 5 is provided with an oversize drain opening which maybe plugged with an oversize plug 40. This permits a very rapid dischargeof water from the tub down into the tank base 1. There is also anoverflow partition 41 in the corner of the tub, provided with a drainopening 42 in the bottom and an inlet or overflow opening 43 near thetop. The upper portion of the overflow arrangement is in the form of asocket as indicated at 44 to provide an air exit, or function as a soapholder or hand hold.

While the tank base 1 is not as long as the bathtub proper as seen inFig. 1, it is somewhat wider than the bathtub and has considerablygreater capacity as is evident from the showing in Fig. 9. In fact, thebase tank 1 will hold the entire contents of the bathtub to a point notreaching the entrance opening for the cables 2222 and obviously notreaching the outlet pipe 39 from the pressure cylinder16. The base tank1 is provided near its bottom with a valved outlet 45 which may extendto any suitable sewage or equivalent connection.

One other feature of the instant invention remains to be described,namely, the mounting of the assembly carried .on the carrier bar 28. Asseen best in Figs. 6 and 7, end brackets 46-46 are provided on theinside walls of-the base tank 1. Attached to each end of the carrier bar28 is a pair'of plates 4747 to form a slot, and the slot so formedembraces the projecting flange of the adjacent bracket 46. A transversestop member 48 extendst-hroughthe flange of each bracket near the bottomthereof to form a base for the adjacent elements 47. In

this manner, the carrier bar 28 together with the shaft 26, the pulleys-25-25 thereon, the saddle bracket 30, and the large wheel 31, may bemerely dropped into position over the projecting flanges of the endbrackets, when the structure is assembled. Should anything go wrong, itis a simple expedient to lift this entire assembly out of position forrepair services, the tub being pivotal on hinge 49.

In operation, the instant invention is extremely simple and effective.With the door of the tub dropped as shown in Fig. 1, it is a simpleexpedient for an ambulatory person to seat himself on the bottom of thetub, which is substantially chair seat height and swing himself intoposition inside the tub. If the person is not ambulatory, he can be veryreadily transferred from the seat of a wheel chair into the tub. A lldanger of slipping, and all danger of accidents resulting from lifting aperson into and out of the tub are eliminated.

Once in the hub, the valve handle 35 is thrown to the position seen inFig. l, and the door elevates to the position seen in Fig. 2 by virtueof the piston 17 operating in the hydraulic cylinder 16. When the dooris raised the handle 35 is moved to the position seen in Fig. 2, and thehandles '1313 are moved to elevated position to clamp the door watertight over the tub opening. The tub may then be filled to the desiredlevel and temperature in a well known manner. After the bathingoperation has been completed, it is a simple expedient to pull theoversize drain plug 41 and the water from the tub is immediatelydischarged into the base tank 1. The handles 13 may then be lowered torelease the door, and the handle 38 pulled inwardly against the actionof the spring 37 to release the piston rod 18', whereupon the doorquickly descends by gravity. The occupant of the tub may then readilyswing his legs outward, either arise from a sitting position with hisfeet safely upon the floor, or slide easily onto the seat of a wheelchair. Again, there is no danger or no lifting necessary for theoccupant to 7 leave the tub.

it will be noted that the bathtub structure is very economical,consistent with the additional advantages, affords ready access to allparts, is simple in construction,

long lived, and may be very facilely used. All handles that needactuating are well within the reach of the occupant of the tub, andjustas readily accessible by an attendant, if the occupant is unable tomanipulate them.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effectedwithout departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the presentinvention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a bathtub assembly, a base tank, a bathtub on said base tank andhaving a drain port leading into said tank, said bathtub having anopening in the side thereof, and a door movable vertically into and outof said base tank to selectively open and close said opening.

2. In a bathtub assembly, a base tank, a bathtub on said base tank andhaving a drain port leading into said tank, said bathtub having anopening in the side thereof, a door movable vertically into and out ofsaid base tank to selectively open and close said opening, automaticmeans for raising and lowering said door, and controls for said meansaccessible from inside said bathtub.

3. In a bathtub assembly, a base tank, a bathtub on said base tank andhaving a drain port leading into said tank, said bathtub having anopening in the side thereof, a door movable vertically into and out ofsaid base tank to selectively open and close said opening, hydrauliclift means including a cylinder and piston to raise said door over saidopening, means to lock said door in raised position, and controls forsaid lift and release means for said locking means accessible frominside said bathtub.

4. In a bathtub assembly, a base tank, a bathtub on said base tank andhaving a drain port leading into said tank, said bathtub having anopening in the side thereof, a door movable vertically into and out ofsaid base tank to selectively open and close said opening, supportingbrackets in said base tank, a carrier bar, pulley means and rotary guidemeans for said door on said carrier bar, said carrier bar being slidableinto engagement with said brackets, and door lift means trained oversaid pulley means.

5. In a bathtub assembly, a base tank, a bathtub on said base tank andhaving a drain port leading into said tank, said bathtub having anopening in the side thereof, a door movable vertically into and out ofsaid base tank to selectively open and close said opening, hydrauliclift means for said door including a cylinder, a vertically movablepiston in said cylinder, a piston rod, door ele-' vating means connectedto said piston rod, means to lock said piston rod in elevated positionto hold said door elevated, and means accessible from inside saidbathtub to release the last said means.

6. In a bathtub assembly, a base tank, a bathtub on said base tank andhaving a drain port leading into said tank, said bathtub having anopening in the side thereof, a door movable vertically into and out ofsaid base tank to selectively open and close said opening, hydrauliclift means for said door including a cylinder, a vertically movablepiston in said cylinder, a piston rod, door elevating means connected tosaid piston rod, means to lock said piston rod in elevated position tohold said door elevated, drain means from said cylinder into said basetank to free the cylinder of liquid while said door remains elevated,and release means for said locking means to permit the door to drop bygravity when actuated.

7. In a bathtub assembly, a base, a bathtub supported on said base andhaving a drain port therein, said bathtub having an opening in the sidethereof, a door movable vertically to selectively open and close theopening, mechanical means to move said door over said opening, means tolock said door in closed position, and controls for said mechanicalmeans and release means for said locking means accessible from insidesaid bathtub.

8. A bathtub assembly which comprises a bathtub having an oversizeddrain port therein, said bathtub having an opening in one side thereof,a door movable vertically to selectively open and close said opening, apower means for raising said door over said opening, clamp means tosealingly lock said door over said opening, means to lock said door inraised position, and controls for said power means and release means forsaid locking means accessible from inside said bathtub.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS746,390 Schmidt Dec. 8, 1903 1,799,145 Bischof Apr. 7,- 1931 FOREIGNPATENTS 22,624 Great Britain Dec. 28, 1891

